Michigan educators invited to October conference geared toward

strengthening environmental and outdoor education

Contact: Natalie Elkins, 517-290-0687
Agency: Natural Resources


Sept. 24, 2014
Mid-October holds a great opportunity for educators across the state to come together for three days
of creative learning and inspiration at the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor
Education's annual conference. "STREAMing Through Environmental and Outdoor Education" - Oct.
10-12 in Roscommon, Michigan - promises to be a fun, engaging and hands-on professional-
development opportunity.
The Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education is a professional association
supporting and advancing environmental education in a variety of settings, including:
K-12 classrooms.
Nature centers and camps.
Youth programs.
Government agencies.
For-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Conference chair Natalie Elkins said this year's unique agenda and beautiful settings will make it
easy and fun for educators to find new relationships between the natural world and the educational
standards for science, technology, reading, engineering, art and mathematics (STREAM) - and to
discover new and more effective ways to teach those subjects.
"We will explore the lakeshore, woods and new classrooms while better connecting critical STREAM
standards and ourselves to the outdoors," Elkins said. "This part of Michigan is rich with natural
history, unique wildlife, gorgeous habitat and striking scenery. It's the perfect place for environmental
and outdoor educators to enrich their senses, learn new teaching methods and outdoor skills, and
then take that inspiration back to their students."
The conference will be hosted at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center on the northern shores
of Higgins Lake, in Roscommon. The RAM Center promotes appreciation of Michigan's natural,
cultural and historic heritage. Surrounded by nature, conference attendees are sure to find
inspiration for creativity and problem-solving. Rooms are available in cozy, camp-like lodges.
Camping also is available within walking distance at North Higgins Lake State Park. Lodging and
meal reservations at the RAM Center will be offered on your conference registration. Those
choosing to camp or stay in a hotel must make arrangements on their own; however,
conference registration is still required.
Conference pre-program information (including session and field-trip descriptions, keynote events,
Share-a-Thon, bookstore and silent auction) is available online at www.maeoe.com. Participants
also can choose field trips and workshops while registering - but remember to keep track of costs,
since the total must be entered into the payment options when completing the registration process.
Those interested in supporting the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education
conference with a sponsorship or attending as a vendor or exhibitor are encouraged to review the
participation forms, also available atwww.maeoe.com.
Anyone with questions about the October conference may contact Natalie Elkins
at elkinsn@michigan.gov.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection,
management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future
generations. For more information, go towww.michigan.gov/dnr.